Film Review - "The Marvels"

The Marvels

Directed by Nia DaCosta

Starring Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani

I'm tired. I'm tired of the discourse surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and where it stands today. I don't want to listen to the haters, deflectors, and trolls anymore, calling for the end of the franchise, while at the same time I've grown weary defending it. Don't get me wrong, I loved 90% of Phase Four, but Phase Five...beyond Guardians Vol. 3 (Which I will eventually talk about) and the second season of Loki, I can't deny these are tough times. I mean I never even finished Secret Invasion.

Nevertheless, here we are with The Marvels. The thirty-third film of The MCU that (surprise) has left audiences split right down the middle. It is not the train wreck many are claiming it to be, but at the same time it's far from the best film of the franchise. It's fun, but it is flawed. (Do I want to write this?...I've come this far.)

The film is both a sequel to the original Captain Marvel film, and a follow-up to the events of the WandaVision and Ms. Marvel series. Carol Danvers (Larson) is out in space being a lone gunslinger, Monica Rambeau (Parris) now works with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) on the S.A.B.E.R. space station, and Kamala Kahn (Vellani) is enjoying life as a teenager and the hero of Jersey City. A bizarre phenomenon in the cosmos intertwines the powers of the three women, causing them to switch places whenever they use them at the same time. 

This leads them to join forces and figure out a way to control their "switch-powers" while also confronting the source of their troubles, which is a Kree Revolutionary named Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) who has a personal beef with Danvers, and is seeking to restore her now-dying homeworld, while destroying other planets in the process.

Right off the bat, our three leads are incredibly likable and they have immaculate chemistry. Larson gets a far better chance to shine here as Captain Marvel than she has so far in the MCU. She's tough but soft-hearted, comedic, charming, and easy to love, despite what the trolls say. Teyonah Parris also gets a chance to expand on her portrayal as Monica. Here we see a much more comedic side to her than we did in WandaVision, and she also gets to do a lot more heavy lifting in both the drama and action department. Iman Vellani charmed the world as she carried the Ms. Marvel series, and she's a real standout in The Marvels. You can tell she's having a lot of fun playing this character. I really want to see more of these three.

The supporting cast is also great. Honestly, Kamala's family got the biggest laughs out of me in the film, and Samuel L. Jackson continues to be the best as Nick Fury. Alas, Zawe Ashton's Dar-Ben falls into the category of Bad Marvel Villains. She does the best with the material she's given, but the character is incredibly underdeveloped, and comes off as a discount Ronan The Accuser from Guardians of The Galaxy.

While avoiding spoilers, Dar-Benn's whole arc (or lack thereof) in The Marvels make it feel like follow-up to a Captain Marvel 2 that we never got. There are exposition-filled moments that do their best to "fill in the gaps" but by the time we have all the pieces, the emotional disconnection between film and audience is too great. I found myself zoning out for a good portion of the film, which is something I don't think has ever happened between me and an MCU entry.

But what the film lacks in...plot, it makes up for in character work. Again, the three leads are incredible, and there are so many great scenes between them. A few moments between Larson and Parris stand out, that deal with the characters' history and fractured relationship. The action scenes in the film are a lot of fun, especially when the heroes are working together and switching powers. 

There are some...interesting set pieces in the film. There's a side-quest to a planet where the inhabitants can only communicate by singing, and then there's a bit involving Goose and his Cat-like species, set to the song "Memory" from the musical Cats (Cardinal sin. Don't remind me that exists.) To each their own but these didn't do anything for me.

The Marvels is flawed yes, but there's enough to enjoy here, and it's not devoid of heart. The characters in the film are endearing, and the performances carry this MCU entry to the finish line. If you like these characters, I imagine you will have a good time with this film. 

So...where do we go from here? Well, thanks to the WGA & SAG-AFTRA Strikes (Pay your creatives fairly), The MCU won't be around for a lot of 2024, at least in the movie theaters. Deadpool 3 will be the only film released from the franchise next year, and you know what? That might be a blessing in disguise.

Between COVID messing up their schedule, commercial and critical discourse post-Endgame, the death of Chadwick Bosemen, the allegations against Jonathan Majors, Jeremy Runner getting attacked by a snowplow, and the Sony/Spider-Man deal hanging by a thread, the MCU could afford to take a chance to breathe, and as Joe Byron would say "Build Back Better"

But if you enjoyed The Marvels, I'm glad you did. Who's to say that's wrong? As I say on my podcast Movies That Matter (shameless), entertainment is subjective and that's not a bad thing.

I don't want to say not every MCU film needs to be amazing or groundbreaking (because I've said that twice now and it's starting to get to me) but if anyone can walk out of theater having enjoyed themselves, then maybe this franchise is worth sticking around.

Film Review - "Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania"

Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania

Directed by Peyton Reed

Starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lily, and Jonathan Majors

I feel like I'm in the minority when I say I enjoyed Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The narrative that the franchise peaked with Avengers: Endgame and that "The MCU is in shambles" has been running rampant for the better part of the year now, despite the fact there have been some great entries in theaters and on Disney Plus.

Judging by the critical and commercial response to Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania, the film to kick off Phase Five of the MCU, it looks as though that narrative won't be fading away anytime soon. Is this film as bad as the general public is making it out to be? No. Is it the next great film of the MCU? No. 

It's fine. It's just fine.

Scott Lang (Rudd) is enjoying his life as a famous Avenger. Life is perfect, except for the fact his daughter Cassie (Now played by Kathryn Newton) is following in his footsteps the wrong way i.e. being an activist and ending up on the wrong side of the law. She's also recently been working on a device to communicate with The Quantum Realm. The device works, and unfortunately sucks Cassie, Scott, and the entire "Ant-Family" into the Quantum Realm.

Separated from the others, Scott and Cassie work to find a way home, while Hope Van Dyne (Lily) and her parents Hank Pam (Micheal Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) search for them. The group is unaware though that a sinister tyrant of the realm named Kang (Majors) has his own plans to escape, and he needs Ant-Man to do it.

The film definitely had a lot of promise but falls short of delivering on the game-changing story the marketing suggested. That's not a bad thing. Not every MCU film needs to shake up the status quo. But when you're kicking off a new phase, while also being the final film of a trilogy, and introducing the franchise's next big bad...you kind of expect more. Quantumania is a very safe, light-hearted film.

I would go as far as to say the focus is on family like in the previous Ant-Man films, but that's really not the case here. The main cast is separated very quickly in the film and the great character dynamics we loved in previous films are lost. The natural progression of Scott and Cassie's relationship as father and daughter was a nice direction to go in, though.

As I said the film introduces the MCU's next big bad (Or rather, introduces him if you didn't watch Loki, and even that's not totally true because multiverse, variants, etc.) and that is the film's greatest strength. Jonathan Majors brings such charm, menace, and gravitas to Kang. You really do get the sense that he is the next Avengers-level threat. Quantumania builds off what was established in Loki while also clueing in the uninitiated and making him a full-fledged character. Since we've got a few years before Kang Dynasty, I'm excited to see what the MCU does with Majors and this character. Hopefully we get more time with him. Or his variants.

Paul Rudd is still great as Scott Lang, but this time he gets some more dramatic material to work with. He has great chemistry with Majors and their scenes together really feel like classic "hero and villain" confrontations, if that makes any sense. Kathryn Newton slides nicely into the role of Cassie Lang. I miss Emma Furhman but Newton is talented enough that there's real promise for the future. Michelle Pfeiffer gets more to do as Janet Van Dyne, and really deserved more screen time considering the story they wanted to tell. Sadly, Evangeline Lily and Micheal Douglas are not given as much to do as they have in previous films, which is a shame.

Bill Murray and William Jackson Harper join the MCU as new characters. They're great but each isn't much more than a glorified cameo. Just a few minutes shorter than The Illuminati in Multiverse of Madness. Corey Stoll returns as Darren Cross, but instead of Yellowjacket is now M.O.D.O.K and look, the character is a giant floating head. Of course they're going to play it as a joke. But his character in this film just feels like a weird afterthought. 

Last thing I want to mention is the visuals. Outside of one particular sequence, the Quantum Realm is very standard sci-fi. There's nothing incredibly distinct about it, but that's not detrimental to the film. However, the previous Ant-Man films definitely were more creative with their visuals, specifically how the Ant-Man and The Wasp's special skills made for unique fight scenes. You're not going to find a fight on a Thomas the Tank Engine train-set, or a giant Hello Kitty Pez dispenser being thrown at a biker gang.

Outside the context of the larger MCU, Quantumania is a harmless family adventure. Alas it's no grand conclusion to a trilogy like Civil War or Ragnarok. The best thing it does is clue us in to a greater threat that's coming, played masterfully by Jonathan Majors. The MCU is not in shambles as some would suggest, but the divisive response to this film is not going to quell the discourse. 

Arguably, the MCU is going through a bit of growing pains as it finds its footing in a post-Endgame world (Interestingly both within its story and production. More on that later). Personally I've grown up with this franchise, I'm still on board, and interested to see where we go from here. Not every MCU film can or will be perfect, but no film is. As Scott Lang himself says in this film, "If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that there's always room to grow." 

Film Review - "Thor: Love & Thunder"

Thor: Love & Thunder

Directed by Taika Waititi

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale, and Natalie Portman

Of course I saw this film back when it first was released to theaters back in July. I left my screening feeling conflicted, and needed to think on it for awhile. Ultimately I think the version of this film I envisioned in my head for years (A MCU equivalent to Toy Story 4 with Thor as our Woody-I knew that wasn't gonna come out right.) was keeping me from enjoying the film I got. After rewatching the film last night on Disney Plus, I can say that Thor: Love & Thunder is an enjoyable adventure with a lot of heart.

After Korg (Waititi), the film's narrator, gives the audiences a recap of all the loss Thor (Hemsworth) has suffered throughout the years, we see The God of Thunder is still traveling the cosmos with The Guardians of The Galaxy. He has shut himself off from love, afraid of losing it again, but Peter Quill/Star Lord (Chris Pratt) tells him it's better to feel sh!**y about losing love than to feel nothing at all. 

Soon Thor is called back to New Asgard, when a villain known as Gorr The God Butcher (Bale) emerges, kidnapping all the Asgardian children as part of a plan to wipe out all Gods. Joining Thor on his quest to rescue the children and stop Gorr is Korg, the newly appointed ruler of Asgard, Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and his ex-girlfriend Dr. Jane Foster (Portman), who has been deemed worthy of the reforged hammer Miljonir and now possesses the power of Thor.

As if saving the world while reuniting with your ex, who is now your super-powered equal wasn't enough, Jane is also battling stage-four cancer, and her new powers may or may not be helping her fight the disease...

The core of the film is Thor and Jane's relationship, which arguably hasn't been the strongest aspect of the Thor films in the past, but Waitit does a great job retroactively building the foundation of their bond, and giving the audience reason to root for them. Thor is given a second chance with a lost love, but also risks losing it again. Thor, while he can be a very comedic character, is also a very tragic one in this franchise (Remember that opening recap). Love & Thunder definitely favors the comedic, but the tragic side is still on display, and Hemsworth does a great job navigating both sides. It's why he's played the character for over ten years.

Love & Thunder is a spectacular homage to the fantasy-adventures of the eighties, from the vibrant color palette, to the stellar use of music from Guns N'Roses, and how it plays with various tones. A lot of people have criticized this film for having tone problems. However many 80's films played with tone in a similar way, One moment things are bright, colorful, and making us smile, and the very next they're dark, cheery and trying to scare the sh!t out of us. And those dark moments sure are creepy.

Waititi loves his comedy, and the film has plenty of laughs, but he knows when to cut the jokes and focus on the moment. I will say though some jokes are run-in to ground, specifically the screaming goats that pull Thor's ship, and an odd love-triangle that develops between Thor, Miljonir, and his new weapon Stormbreaker. I'm just not sure when these weapons became sentient...or love interests (Unless you remember Stormbreaker was made from Groot's arm).

The film has a wonderful cast. I've already praised Hemsworth. Natalie Portman's return is more than welcome. As Jane she is "adorkable" as she learns to become a superhero, while also nailing every emotional moment. This is easily her best outing as Jane Foster in the MCU. Christian Bale leaps into the conversation of "Best MCU Villain" as Gorr. He's scary, charismatic, and endearing all at once. One particular scene gave me the creeps. Bale brings his A-Game. Korg remains a favorite of mine, but Waitit risks over-using his character this time around. Less is more with Korg. Tessa Thompson continues to be suave and charming as ever as Valkyrie, although I do wish her character got more development this film.

I think that is probably my biggest criticism of the film. Its untapped potential of its supporting players. We could have seen more of Valkyrie's time ruling Asgard (and her search for a Queen, but I guess that was cut). Jaimie Alexander returns as Lady Sit, but she doesn't do very much of anything. Even the Guardians of the Galaxy don't get much to do. They didn't have to be in the whole film, this is a Thor film, but Pratt's Peter Quill could've offered a lot more to Thor and Jane's stories. Again, at the end of the day this is a Thor film, and Thor has to be the priority.

I will say though credit has to be given to Russell Crowe for his portrayal of Zeus. He could've so easily phoned it in but he's giving it his all, and you can tell he's having a lot of fun with it.

There's been a lot of contentious debate about not just this film, but pretty much every entry in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I remain on the positive side of things. Thor: Love & Thunder may not be the next Avengers: Endgame, or Captain America: Civil War, or even the next Thor: Ragnarok (Well, I guess it technically is that..) but it doesn't need to be. The beauty of the MCU is its diverse body of stories. Love & Thunder stands strong as a heart-warming, entertaining adventure that is worthy of your time.

Film Review - “Black Widow”

Black Widow

Directed by Cate Shortland

Starring Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, and David Harbour

To say Scarlett Johansson’s first solo outing as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was long over-due feels like a bad joke now. Frankly, it was overdue long before the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its release for over a year. Ever since the character first appeared in Iron Man 2 fans have wanted her to have her own solo film. When it was finally announced Black Widow was going to be made, it couldn’t help but feel a bit bittersweet.

Learning it was going to be a prequel, and then watching her death in Avengers: Endgame (Still say it should’ve been Hawkeye) made Black Widow feel somewhat like an afterthought, and a squandering of potential. Johansson has always been great as Natasha, and has had plenty of screen time across the MCU. But it feels like so much more could’ve been done with the character, and now we’re just left to wonder “What If?” Pun absolutely intended.

But finally last month Black Widow was released in theaters and on Disney Plus Premier Access (For better or worse). Despite external circumstances, I found it to be a very enjoyable entry in the MCU, however not without its flaws.

Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Natasha (Johansson) is on the run form Secretary Ross (William Hurt) and the US military after violating the Sokovia Accords. Life in hiding is peaceful for all of five minutes until her surrogate sister Yelena Bologna (Pugh) sends her a package that puts her in the crosshairs of Taskmaster, a mercenary of the Red Room trained to mimic the fighting styles of The Avengers. 

The package contains an antidote to the mind-controlling agent used on all female operatives in the Black Widow program. Natasha reunites with Yelena, who tells her that the Red Room is still active, and Dreykov (Ray Winstone) the man in charge, is still alive. Natasha and Yelena set out to find the Red Room and stop Dreykov once and for all, while reuniting with their surrogate parents Alexei Shostakov/The Red Guardian (Harbour) and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), who also went through the Red Room’s training.

The film does a great job of providing us with the origins of Natasha without making it a straight origin story. The opening sequence, a flashback to the undercover life of “The Widow Family” in Ohio 1995, sets up the rest of the film perfectly. The overall tone and themes of this film make it one of the more intense and darker chapters in the MCU. Viewers can certainly resonate with what the film has to say about the treatment of women and how society values them. This is all fitting for a character with a history like Black Widow’s. Natasha has been a character constantly haunted by her past, and determined to “wipe the red out of her ledger” as she told Tom Hiddelston’s Loki in the original Avengers, and this story is built to service that arc.

Every MCU film feels in some way different than the others, and Black Widow feels like a real espionage adventure. The action scenes in this film are intense, exhilarating, and harken back to those from Captain America: The Winter Solider and Civil War. A few in the film’s third act are some of its best. But the film’s real strengths are the dynamics between its characters. The Widow Family work together really well, and you really believe they are a family. They poke fun at each other, they hate each other, and they love each other. It’s a perfectly written family dynamic, warts and all. This is in no small part due to the performances.

Scarlett Johansson has always been great as Natasha, and in this film we see why we fell in love with the character. The charm, the heart and the wit she has poured into the character for the past decade is all on display here. Unfortunately she sorts of falls into the same situation of the late Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther, where her supporting cast can outshine her. Florence Pugh establishes herself as a new MVP of the MCU. She brings a lot of heart and humor to the table as Yelena, and her chemistry with Johansson is incredible (Really sad it might be the only time we see them together). David Harbour is incredible as the Red Guardian. He was my favorite part of the film, playing this perfect goofy superhero dad with a misplaced ego. Rachel Weisz has a lot of good moments as Melina, but sadly I feel like the script didn’t give her enough opportunity to shine.

OT Fagbenle and William Hurt are fine as Rick Mason and Secretary Ross, but they’re just kind of there to help the plot along, and connect this to Phase Three’s narrative. Ray Winstone as Dreykov is…ok. He’s a talented actor but the script also does him no favors, and he turns out to be one of the weaker villains of the franchise. It’s is unfortunate because the film spends a lot of time building him up as this monster, but it’s a lot of tell and no show. Now is probably a good point to transition into what I thought didn’t work in the film.

I think the best way to sum up Black Widow’s shortcomings is it could’ve been so much more. I don’t necessarily mean “It could take place in present day post-Endgame with Natasha still alive” You can have this film set in the past and it’d still be effective. But the problem of “show, not tell” does not just pertain to Ray Winstone’s Dreykov. There are a lot of conversations between characters about things, really interesting, harrowing things we really should’ve seen as viewers. The pacing of the film sort of suffers as a result of this. I understand the whole film can’t be action sequences, but when this is the long overdue solo story of an OG Avenger, and possibly the last time we'll see her, you kinda want to give us all you got. We understand to a degree what Natasha has been through because we’ve had six films with her already, but that’s not a free pass to skimp on character work in this film.

It’s interesting how Dreykov is the film’s primary antagonist, when all the marketing had propped Taskmaster up in that position. Unfortunately, Taskmaster is probably as equally underdeveloped. Now avoiding spoilers here, but I don’t subscribe to the “#NotMyTaskmaster campaign” circling the internet right now. I enjoyed the portrayal of him in this film, even if it’s not what everyone expected given the character’s history. I thought he worked really well to service Natasha’s story, but we needed more time with the character to understand him better.

Black Widow may fall short of becoming one of the MCU’s greatest, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your time. It’s thrilling, emotional, and a good time at the movies, which is what we all need right now, and what we expect from Marvel. Pandemic aside, it is sadly a bit of a victim of circumstance, but within the parameters set for her, director Cate Shortland crafts a entertaining adventure for Natasha Romanoff that beautifully serves this beloved character.

I like many hope this is not the last we see of the Black Widow (although a certain lawsuit might be dwindling those chances as we speak), but I also hope this film stands as a touching tribute to original female Avenger and her importance to this powerhouse franchise…and it still should’ve been Hawkeye.

Top 12 Films of The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Well, now seemed a good a time as any to tackle this daunting task. This month marks the one-year anniversary of Avengers: Endgame, which closed out the first twenty-three film saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Black Widow, which is set to lead us into the next saga of the MCU, has had its release date postponed, along with several other films. So now seems like a good time to revisit some of my favorite entries of the MCU.

Braver men then me have solidified their preferential rankings of the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I am well aware of the position I'm about to put myself in. However, like every Top Films lists, I'll reiterate that all entertainment is subjective, and my Top 12 might not necessarily be the same as someone else's. Also, unlike my Top Films of the Year lists, I'm going with twelve slots instead of ten. I'm not just going through a year of films. I'm going through a tight, twenty-three film franchise. As Dave Chappelle once said, "Modern problems, require modern solutions."

Alright let's take an extra shot of Super-Solider Serum, power up the Arc Reactor, and (those that are worthy) summon Miljonir. These are my Top 12 MCU Films.

12. Thor
Released May 6, 2011
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddelston (and Anthony Hopkins as Odin)

I've really come to appreciate the first Thor film more and more over time. There's just so many memorable lines of dialogue that I can recite so well. It really started to shape the cinematic universe on a larger scale, establishing the connections between Earth and Asgard, and our introduction to Thor (Hemsworth) is possibly one of the best origin stories in the MCU. The cast is full of MCU powerhouses, not just Hemsworth, but Sir Anthony Hopkins as the almighty Odin, and Tom Hiddelston everybody's favorite villain Loki. Really what else can I say about Loki?

The fight scenes are superb, but not because there's a lot of sword fighting and explosions, but because they're on a smaller scale, personal, and more integral to the character arcs. It's a good drama. It's a good fantasy film. Thor stands out among the MCU's earliest entries.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #4 in My Top Films of 2011)


11. Black Panther
Released February 16, 2018
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Starring Chadwick Boseman, Luptia N'yongo, and Michael B. Jordan

Black Panther, save for a cliche' final battle, is a powerhouse film. Coogler is a master at world-building. He brings the country of Wakanda to life beautifully with every detail, from the set design and wardrobe, to the film's unforgettable score and soundtrack. It's a visually stunning production. The cast is amazing. Boseman is too cool as our lead. Danai Gurira as Okoye and Winston Duke as M'Baku are the definition of scene stealers. Michael B. Jordan gives us the best villain in an MCU since Loki, no question about that.

The script is so well-written, and is full of themes and messages that resonate with the world today. None of which are in your face, but are handedly in a strong but subtle way, that they can leave a significant impact on the viewer. Another great thing the film does is stand firm on its own ground, while connecting to the larger narrative of the MCU in a simple way. Black Panther is a compelling, ground-breaking film that is almost a masterclass in filmmaking on its own.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #7 in My Top Films of 2018)


10. Captain America: The Winter Solider
Released April 4, 2014
Directed by Joe & Anthony Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Robert Redford

The second film in the Captain America trilogy took the Star Spangled Man with A Plan to brilliant places. After the end of The First Avenger brought him to the modern world, the Winter Solider puts Cap in a place where everything he knows is challenged. The lines between right and wrong are blurred, and when he is being forced to "get with the times", he stands his ground and tries to stay true to his beliefs. It's a thought-compelling film raising questions on morality, government oversight, and more.

This "political thriller" was the first real game changer in the MCU, with its intense and gripping plot regarding SHIELD and its role in the universe. Anthony Mackie makes a great debut as Sam Wilson/The Falcon. Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders get to play more as Nick Fury and Maria Hill. But the heart of the film is the relationship between Cap & Black Widow (Evans & Johansson). The two characters are almost complete opposites but have enough similarities to form a connection, and they play off each other incredibly well. That's in no small credit to the talents of Evans & Johansson, who's life-long friendship helps to build their on-screen chemistry and make a dynamic Marvel duo.

Edge-of-your-seat thrills with an emotional core, brought to life with wonderful performances, Captain America: The Winter Solider is one of the MCU's best sequels.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #2 in My Top Films of 2014)


9. Iron Man
Released May 2, 2008
Directed by Jon Favreau
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jeff Bridges

The one that started it all. The character arc of Tony Stark (Downey) is one of the strongest, if not the strongest across the franchise, but if you just look at Iron Man, it set the standard for superhero origins. The story of Iron Man is one of incredible self-redemption, and one we hadn't seen in a superhero film at the time. Tony is a man who sees an evil in the world he has fed, and makes it his life mission to right those wrongs, and make the world a better place. Across nine films he goes from completely selfish to selfless, but right out the gate we get a strong sense of who this guy is. Favreau's amazing direction, and Downey's iconic performance created the stuff of legends.

I also think Jeff Bridges is often overlooked when people rank MCU villains. While the final battle is slightly underwhelming, Obadiah Stane is incredibly well written as this dark reflection of Tony. But the rest of the action is superb, there's lot of humor and heartfelt character moments. I don't think the MCU would be what it is today if they didn't come swinging out of the gate so strongly with Iron Man.



8. Captain America: Civil War
Released May 6, 2016
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, and Sebastian Stan

There's probably nothing harder to watch than some of the most-beloved characters of all time kick the crap out of each other, but that's what makes Captain America: Civil War such an enticing and impactful film. The airport sequence? Groundbreaking. The final confrontation between Cap, Tony, and Bucky? Heart-wrenching. The emotional stakes have never been higher.

The Russo's do an incredible job of keeping Cap (Evans) the centerpiece of the story, while also servicing every player on the Avenger chessboard (many have nicknamed this film Avengers 2.5). The performances in this film are top-notch, showing just how well this ensemble has learned to play off one another. Every scene and every bit of dialogue builds off what came before it, as this acts as a culmination of Phase One & Two, and sets the stage for Phase Three. Captain America: Civil War, with its high emotional stakes and unmatched action, is easily one of the best films in the MCU.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #2 in My Top Films of 2016)

Things are starting to get tricky now...

7. Avengers: Endgame
Released April 26, 2019
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson, etc.

As close to perfect as a finale gets I think. It wraps up The Infinity Saga while also leaving a few breadcrumbs to what could come next. This film was an unforgettable experience in theaters, and the laughs, cheers, and tears still hit home. The final battle is nothing short of epic. The time-travel sequence is (for the most part, RIP Natasha) a ton of fun. Alan Silversti's score is beautiful. The performances from the original six Avengers are some of their very best, but the supporting players turn in some great work too. Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man provides a lot of bright moments. Karen Gillan as cold but not totally-heartless-now Nebula really plays well against The Avengers.

As most finales do, Endgame is full of nostalgia, using the theme of time-travel to revisit some beloved locations and characters from past films, but never in a way that feels gimmicky. The true majesty and gravitas of the MCU is on display here for three hours, showcasing everything viewers have come to love for the past decade. Avengers: Endgame capped off The Infinity Saga incredibly well, and deservingly became the most successful film of all time.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #1 in My Top Films of 2019)


6. The Avengers
Released May 4, 2012
Directed by Joss Whedon
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth

The first time The Avengers assembled on screen was an unforgettable moment in cinematic history. After seeing all their stellar work in their solo films, it was amazing to see the natural chemistry between these actors. Brining Tom Hiddelston back as Loki for the film's antagonist was a good move, and solidified him as a franchise MVP.

The film does start a little slow getting the team together, but that start is full of standard, enjoyable character moments. Whedon's script services them all well, and the dialogue is beyond witty and truly memorable. The action, particularly in the final battle in New York, is epic. Little film nerd moment here...the cinematography in The Avengers is pretty great, with some really nice camerawork. Alan Silversti, again, is a true maestro with the music. The Avengers was the true beginning of the end, and promised big, beautiful things in the future of the MCU.
(Ranked #3 in My Top Films of 2012)


5. Thor: Ragnarok
Released November 3, 2017
Directed by Taika Waititi
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Cate Blanchett

Thor: Ragnarok marked a real turning point for The God of Thunder (and my second favorite Avenger). I think it's pretty safe to say that Ragnarok is universally accepted as the funniest film of the MCU, and I stand by that statement. Visually the film is one of the MCU's most unique, as we go on this "cosmic road trip", from Asgard to New York to Sakarr. It's always nice to get a sense of how big the universe of these films is.

As much as Waitit reinvented the Thor films, it brings the trilogy to a proper conclusion for the character and brings a wonderful script to life. Hemsworth gives some of his best work as Thor, and gets to show off his comedic chops. Mark Ruffalo gets a bit more to do as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, and Cate Blanchett is deliciously evil as Hela. Thor: Ragnarok is one of the MCU's funnest and most unique entries.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #1 in My Top Films of 2017)


4. Doctor Strange
Released November 4, 2016
Directed by Scott Derrickson
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, and Chiwetel Ejiofor

Man I was pretty harsh in my original review of Doctor Strange. I mean some of it I still agree with but obviously I've changed my tune if it's now in my Top 5. The introduction to the magical side of the MCU is a true spectacle. I love the visuals in the film, and Michael Giacchino's grand and fantastical score only immerses you in them deeper. Stephen Strange is a true fan-favorite, brought to life on screen perfectly by Benedict Cumberbatch. His origin story follows some similar beats to Thor and Iron Man but has its own unique flavors.

The supporting cast is stacked, from the fierce Shakespearean nature of Ejiofor's Mordo, to Benedict Wong's hilarious and stoic Wong, and Swinton as the material but powerful Ancient One (I love her final scene with Cumberbatch. It's one of my favorite scenes in the MCU. I just love the overall tone and feel of the film. It was nothing like the MCU films that came before it. Doctor Strange was a true feast for the eyes, and a "magical" introduction to a new corner of the MCU.
(Original Review)


3. Avengers: Infinity War
Released April 27, 2018
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Josh Brolin, Chris Hemsworth (and the rest!)

Infinity War was a cinematic experience unlike any other. The impact of that ending can still be felt to this day. It's like a true comic-book event come to life, sprung right from the panels. The Russo's perform the balancing act they did in Civil War, and like, quadruple it. Some cast members don't shine as equally as others, but their time is better used in Endgame. Downey, as always, is *the* leading man as Tony Stark. Josh Brolin feels truly menacing as Thanos, the saga's Big Bad, while also playing him with real pathos. Chris Hemsworth, right after Ragnarok, turns in even more spectacular work as Thor. It's also nice to see Doctor Strange and the Guardians join in on the big team-up this time.

While Infinity War is a ride, it is a lot to digest. However in the context of its sequel, it's setting the stage for The Avengers to come back from their greatest failure. And really it isn't their film, it's Thanos's. The Russo's structure it so he's a main character, which is the right call since the franchise had been building to him for ten years. But back to Infinity War being a ride. This as dark and intense as the franchise gets, and the action is some of the most thrilling in a Marvel film. "Calm" is not the word to use to describe Infinity War. Also, one more time...The music of Alan Silversti.

Infinity War shook audiences to its core. It's as devastating as it is entertaining.
(Original Review)
(Ranked #2 in My Top Films of 2018)


2. Guardians of The Galaxy: Vol. 2
Released May 5, 2017
Directed by James Gunn
Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Kurt Russell 

I really enjoy both Guardians films, but given a choice I'd take Vol.2 over "Vol.1". The comedy is turned up to eleven, but Gunn really doubles-down on the drama, and shows how as a writer he can seamlessly interweave between them. I love the story of family, and how the family we choose isn't always the family we're born into. Gunn brings these characters to the logical next step in their journeys. The Guardians of The Galaxy might look odd on the surface, but their story is universally touching.

Chris Pratt again proves to be one of the best actors in the business right now. Kurt Russell as Ego is absolutely amazing. Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon is the unsung MVP of the ensemble. Karen Gillan and Michael Rooker get more to do as Nebula and Yondu, and what they do with the material *chef's kiss*.  The design of the film is incredible, like Disney meets Flash Gordon. It's beautiful to look at. The soundtrack is once again stellar, but in this film I find the songs are more connected to what's on screen (particularly Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain).

I expected to laugh and have a great time. I didn't expect an attack on the feels in Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2, but that's what we got. The film exceeded my expectations, and over time became one of my favorite MCU films.
(Original Review)


...Yeah...yeah we're here again...As them Thanos say, "I am, inevitable..."

1. Captain America: The First Avenger
Released July 22, 2011
Directed by Joe Johnson
Starring Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, and Sebastian Stan

I'm going to save some time and just copy-paste what I wrote when I made this film #1 in My Top 10 Films of 2011...

"Surprised? I knew you wouldn't be. This quickly became one of my favorite films of all time, as did Captain America become my favorite superhero of all time. Steve Rogers isn't motivated by say, revenge for a lost loved one, or some foretold prophecy. He's doing it because he knows what's right. He sees evil in the world, and as a person, feels compelled to do something about it. How can you not fall in love with a character like that, especially when he's played perfectly by my man Chris Evans? Honestly this is one of the best batch of supporting players in the MCU. Hayley Atwell is lovely and dynamic as Agent Peggy Carter. Sebastian Stan is too cool for school as Bucky. Hugo Weaving is deliciously evil as Red Skull, and by God can we please get more of Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Phillips in the MCU?? The film is not so much a superhero film, but a WWII action-adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones, which I love. I could keep going but you already knew Captain America: The First Avenger is my favorite film..."

Captain America, to me, embodies the spirit of the MCU, and shows why these films have become so beloved. The Marvel heroes portrayed on screen, all start out as regular people, be it a scrawny kid from Brooklyn, a gifted neurosurgeon, or a genius-billionare-playboy-philanthropist. They are put in extraordinary situations, and rise to the occasion to become something more. They take the chance to make the world a better place, by volunteering for a risky super-soldier program, joining a talking raccoon and tree to fight an intergalactic terrorist, or leading their people out of the shadows and onto the world's stage (That one's Black Panther). By showing their humble beginnings, Marvel shows that in some way, anyone can be a superhero. They make these characters accessible to the audience. As Stan Lee once said, "That person who helps others simply because it should or must be done, and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed, without a doubt, a real superhero..."

So (as it stands right now) those are my Top 12 Films of the MCU. Now, I finally rest, and watch the sun rise (from a secure location) on a grateful universe...

Well that's probably enough controversial opinions for now...for my next post, my review of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker!

Film Review - "Avengers: Endgame"

*deep breath*…Ok, I'm ready.

Avengers: Endgame
Directed by Joe & Anthony Russo
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and the rest!

When I was younger, my love and interest of superheroes was fairly tame. I loved the idea of superheroes, drawing and writing stories of my own, but I never read the comics. I followed the likes of Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man on their respective animated series and films, who were at the time, the three popular and most well-known by the general public. The likes of Iron Man, Captain America, or even Ant-Man weren't on people's minds. But then, there was an idea…

Marvel began producing their own films, with the characters they still had rights to (a story for another day), and setting them all in this shared continuity. A cinematic universe. So when the time was right, they could do a big crossover film with these heroes known as The Avengers. As someone who loves and studies film, and works in video production, the storytelling concept of a cinematic universe really fascinated me. I didn't rush to the theaters to see the first Iron Man, in fact I watched it on-demand with my mom a quiet weekend months later. Things changed rather quickly.

I was as invested as the rest of the public, going to the theaters on opening weekends to see Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and so on. When I went to college, I met friends who knew all about these heroes from their days in comic books, and broadened my understanding of this Marvelous World and made me an even bigger fan. The Marvel Cinematic Universe became a major part of my life, their lives, and many others. We would have reunion weekends at least once a year to see the latest installment, and we would be in contact throughout the year discussing all the latest news, trailers, etc.

This is a long-way of saying, eleven years after this first saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe began with Iron Man, Avengers: Endgame was poised to bring it to a grandiose, epic, and emotional conclusion. Boy, did it ever…

The spoiler ban has lifted but out of respect for the few that haven't seen it yet, I'll keep the plot summary brief. After suffering a devastating loss at the hands of the Mad Titan Thanos (Josh Brolin), which resulted in half of the universe being snapped out of existence, the Avengers left behind must pick up the pieces. As a true team, they strive to find a way to reverse the damage and resurrect their dusted friends, family, and allies. That's the barebones.

Finales are hard to do. Just ask any show-runners of a television series that's concluded. Endgame is the series (or season depending your viewpoint) finale of a 22-episode, cinematic television series. Everyone has or had in their mind an idea of how The Infinity Saga of the MCU should have concluded. All entertainment is subjective, and while I personally had my own thoughts and expectations dismissed (As will all of you), this film is as close to perfect as perfect could be. It's what a finale should be. It's jam-packed with amazing character moments, epic scenes of drama and action, and plenty, PLENTY of moments that will have you clutching your handkerchief. I admit I cry at movies a fair amount, but damn, the bar's been raised…a lot.

Infinity War was an MCU film that was not for the uninitiated. You couldn't go into it cold turkey, or having only seen a small portions of the films that came before it. Endgame is no different, in fact it is even more so not for the uninitiated. The amount of MCU films you've seen prior will undoubtedly reflect your level of enjoyment viewing it. Back on Infinity War, while it and Endgame are a two-part installment, they are very different films. Specifically, while the former had a lot of balls in there and was very fast-paced, the latter has a much more mainstreamed storyline, and goes a bit slower. Not to say that's a bad thing. There are some slow parts in the first half, but conversely in that first act are a lot of wonderful, very entertaining character moments.

That's really why we've devoted ourselves to this cinematic universes, because of its compelling characters, which is my segway into talking about the cast. It's no secret that this film has been billed as the final outing for many of the franchise's longest standing cast members, and in Endgame they turn in some of their very best work. Robert Downey Jr. deserves some sort of Oscar for his work as Tony Stark/Iron Man. The amount of charisma and heart he has put into this role, it's nothing short of iconic. Chris Evans is Steve Rogers/Captain America. Cap is given some of the very best moments in the film, and Evans delivers them all with the same gravitas and emotion of a true leading man since he first picked up the shield in 2011. I don't think enough has been said about all the good work Chris Hemsworth has done as Thor. His ability to juggle the comedic and emotional sides of his character is remarkable. Not everyone's going to like what the Russos do with Thor in this film, but it does work. Thor has had one of the most-fleshed out character arcs throughout the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Scarlett Johansson does a lot of heavy-lifting as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. She's not just the emotional core of the original Avengers team, she's the emotional core of the film, and it was really nice to see her talent on full-display. Jeremy Renner, who has often been sidelined and overlooked as Clint Barton/Hawkeye, is a true highlight here. He's given a lot of material to work with in Endgame and he runs with all it. Karen Gillan continues to be a personal favorite as Nebula, and seeing her work with the Avengers, opposed to say the Guardians, is a lot of fun. I don't want to go down the list of the entire cast but lastly, I want to mention Josh Brolin as Thanos. Thanos has become one of the greatest villains of all time, largely in part to his performance. Avoiding spoilers best I can, but the Thanos in Endgame is a stark contrast to the one in Infinity War. While Thanos is a self-proclaimed messiah who takes no true pleasure in his mission, here he's far more evil, ruthless, and threatening. Brolin works wonders with this side of the character.

Much like Infinity War, Endgame's production design is truly a comic-book come to life with some remarkable shots, settings and set-pieces. I can't wait to see what artists do with some of this stuff at my local comic-cons (Sorry, wallet.). I know I said Composer Alan Silversti gave some of his best work in Infinity War, but I changed my mind. Here is where he gives his best work. Obviously he worked on both films back to back, and you can hear a lot of the same themes and pieces in the score, but he truly saved the best for last. This is some of the best music a film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever had, and if he isn't even nominated for an Academy Award I will set every copy of Bohemian Rhapsody on fire (I stole the framework of this joke).

I have come to love the Marvel films as much as I love the films of Disney and Pixar. They inform a lot of my opinions and taste in film and television, but they've also become a large part of my identity. These films have enforced lifelong friendships. I look around my apartment right now, and there is a Captain America magnet on my fridge, a throw pillow on my couch, a hand-crafted mini-surfboard with his shield hanging on my wall, and a Funko Pop of him fighting Thanos on my entertainment center. And it's some bizarre coincidence that three of this franchise's leading men are all named Chris, and the Chris that plays my favorite superhero is also from Massachusetts, but I digress.

The experience of Avengers: Endgame is unforgettable. Once in a lifetime. It's an epic, emotional conclusion to a story that began eleven years ago. Obviously, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will continue on, but it'll never be as it was. Nothing has ever or probably will ever touch this historic achievement of feature-film storytelling. Ten years from now, it's unclear if the superhero genre will still be as strong, or will have gone quietly to the sideline similar to the western. Rest assured, no one will soon forget the cultural impact of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and how The Infinity Saga, its first chapter, came to a ground-breaking conclusion with Avengers: Endgame.

.

Credit to my friend Derek for this, the best work in Photoshop anyone has ever done ever.

Film Review - "Thor: Ragnarok"

Thor: Ragnarok
Directed by Taika Waititi
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddelston, Mark Ruffalo, and Cate Blanchett

Of all the franchises that build up the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I think the Thor films have been the ones that have been the most scrutinized. The original Thor seems to be underrated by the general public, and I am in that minor paternity of fans that actually enjoys Thor: The Dark World despite its shortcomings. That being said, I think everyone can agree that Thor: Ragnarok is the best Thor film yet, and one of the best chapters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As much as I personally loved the film I do have some minor issues with it but more on that later.

The film opens some time after Thor (Hemsworth) left on his quest for Infinity Stone-related truth at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Multiple premonitions of Ragnarok, the end of Asgard, bring the God of Thunder back home where Loki (Hiddelston) has been ruling in disguise as Odin (Sir Anthony Hopkins) since the last film. Once Thor reveals his brother's charade, they both learn Loki's actions have paved the way for Hela the Goddess of Death (Blanchett) to make her return.

Set on taking Asgard for her own, she tosses Thor and Loki off to the dumpster planet of Sakarr, where Thor is taken prisoner to fight in the Grandmaster's (Jeff Goldblum) arena battles. In order to get free of Sakarr, return to Asgard, and stop Hela, Thor must defeat The Grandmaster's Champion. And oh boy, that champion turns out to be The Incredible Hulk (Ruffalo)!

So if Ragnarok sounds like a Thor film infused with the Planet Hulk comic storyline, you wouldn't be wrong. But it works. It definitely works. When originally announced for a film with the word "Ragnarok" in the title, Taikia Waititi seemed like an odd choice, but he definitely proved the skeptics wrong. The film definitely still has the director's unique brand of comical filmmaking, but there room is left for serious and dramatic moments. It shares some DNA with previous Thor films but still has its very unique identity. Many have compared it to the Guardians of The Galaxy films but I don't think that's really fair, as Thor goes to grander, arguably grimmer places, and the humor of Chris Pratt is not that of Chris Hemsworth.

The film is hilarious, and the action and set pieces are awe-inspiring. The score for the film is unreal, and more importantly it serves the overall arc of the Thor character perfectly, and brings him to the logical, third-act conclusion of his trilogy…until he has to fight Thanos next summer. So what are my issues? Well first the film is surprisingly packed with story. So much so that some breathing room would have been appreciated for some of these moments to sink in, and let the characters respond and react. After a second viewing I don't think this is a big a problem as I originally thought it was but still. It's hard no to really talk about these parts of the film without getting into spoilers.

As I said this is a hilarious film, and probably Marvel's first full-blown comedy. While I was laughing at pretty much every joke in the film, a small voice in the back of my head at times would whisper "Did we really need a joke there? Couldn't we have just let that play out as a serious moment?" I feel like a hypocrite saying this because I still laughed at these jokes, but I do still wonder could we have gone a smudge more serious? Not that the film doesn't have moments of darkness, mind you.

So the cast. Chris Hemsworth is again the best as Thor, and gets to flex his comedy chops a lot more to delight of everyone. Mark Ruffalo takes the Hulk to great new places. Only his third film as the character, and the first outside of The Avengers line, it was nice to see his performance develop in such a way that this might be the best Hulk we've had on screen yet. Tom Hiddelston is again great as Loki. Fans who have loved Thor & Loki's relationship in the past two films might be disappointed it's not a major part of the script, but it's still there and really how much more development is needed?

Tessa Thompson plays a fun and dynamic Valkyrie and is a welcome new-additon to the cast. Cate Blanchett continues the streak of great MCU villains with Hela. She's deliciously evil and clearly having a ton of fun in the role. Every time we cut back to Sakarr I was like "Let's get back to Asgard I wanna see what she's up to!!" Karl Urban plays a very fun Skurge The Executioner. Jeff Goldblum…is Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster. Enough said. It's nice to see Benedict Cumberbatch again as Doctor Strange. Finally, Director Taika Waititi steals his own film in the role of Korg. What a wonderful character.

Thor: Ragnarok is definitely the best of the three Thor films, and arguably the best MCU film out of three we received this year (The other two being Homecoming and Guardians Vol. 2). It's such a departure from the previous two Thor films, so much so it almost completely destroys some conventions of what comes before, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Ragnarok is an epic, hilarious, and exhilarating film that's worthy of wielding the mightiest of hammers….

I suppose I should also let you know my thoughts on Justice League…oh look Coco and The Last Jedi!!

CHRIS FLAHERTY WILL RETURN...

Film Review - "Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2"

Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2
Directed by James Gunn
Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Kurt Russell, etc.

I don't think anyone expected the first Guardians of The Galaxy to be the smash hit it turned out to be, but here we are, and personally it's one of my favorite films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

From the way James Gunn and Kevin Feige have been talking, it sounds like the series will play a major role in shaping the future of the MCU post-Phase Three. I think the majority of Marvel fans are perfectly fine with that. Early last month, Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2 hit theaters and proved that the first film was no fluke. The sequel is another strong entry into the franchise and stands toe-to-toe with "Vol. 1"

After Rocket (Voiced again by Bradley Cooper) lands the team in hot water with the alien race known as The Sovereign, the Guardians crash-land on a remote planet, where they are located by Peter (Pratt)'s long-lost father Ego (Russell) and his assistant Mantis (Pom Klementieff).

Ego invites the group to his personal home planet, to reconnect with his son and teach him of his heritage, but Peter naturally remains skeptical of his estranged dad, as does Gamora (Saldana). Meanwhile Yondu (Michael Rooker) finds himself on the outs with his crew and other Ravager factions as a result of his past mistakes, and Nebula (Karen Gillan) continues her hunt to kill Thanos (Josh Brolin but not here) and settle her beef with her sister Gamora.

It's a simple story, elevated to the greatest of heights with tons of heart and emotion. James Gunn once again takes this weird batch of characters and makes it so easy for audiences to connect, feel, and fall in love with them all over again. We should be super thankful he returned for Vol. 2, and will come back again for Vol.3. 

The underlying theme of family gives each character a chance to grow and shine throughout the film. The cast nails it once again. Chris Pratt is as lovable as ever as Peter Quill/Star-Lord. Kurt Russell is perfect as Ego. Dave Bautista once again brings buckets of laughs as Drax, and is also given more emotional bits to work with. Bradley Cooper I felt wasn't as funny in the role of Rocket this film, but like Bautista he got to flex his acting chops with more dramatic material, given the little trash panda's arc in the film.

Zoe Saldana again embodies the character of Gamora, and because the film expands on her relationship with Nebula, she gets to do more than just kick ass and not get Quill's references. Speaking of Nebula, Karen Gillian is given so much more to do and owns the role. The same can definitely be said for Michael Rooker as Yondu, who arguably steals the spotlight.
I say arguably because yes, there's Baby Groot (Vin Diesel), and yes he's adorable, and yes all eyes are on him when he's onscreen.

Before I end up praising every actor on the cast list, I'll just say that Sylvester Stallone in his role was actually really great. He's not in the film a lot, but you can tell he's giving it his all, and not just working to make a quick paycheck. Finally, Elizabeth Debicki is good as Ayesha, the High Priestess of the Sovereign but is really just an incidental character. Hopefully we'll see more of her in future films.

I'll go back and forth for awhile on whether Vol. 1 or Vol. 2 is the better film but I will say that the latter does a much better job of integrating the music. There's an incredible variety of wonderful tracks in Awesome Mix Vol. 2 that work to progress the story and elevate the tone of the film. Also I found the look and production design of Vol. 2 to be on a higher level. Every planet or ship looks so distinct and it's all just so colorful and well crafted, they really created a whole universe and it's a beautiful film to look at.

Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2 is an amazing film packed with laughs and heart. It's an easy recommendation for anyone, and if you didn't see the first one watch it right now and then go see this one ASAP. This series continues to prove it's one of the most unique out there, inside and out of the MCU. Who would have thought a film featuring a talking tree and raccoon could carry so much weight?

Film Review- "Doctor Strange"

Doctor Strange
Directed by Scott Derrickson
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tilda Swinton

The fourteenth film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been in theaters for almost a month now. After seeing Doctor Strange multiple times in theaters, as much as I enjoy and love it, I do find it could have been a better product.

Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) is an accomplished yet arrogant neurosurgeon, who ends up in a terrible car accident, rendering his hands practically useless. After modern medicine fails him again and again, he seeks out the secret compound of Kamar-Taj for other methods of healing. There he learns of things such as multi-dimensions, the astral plane and, in layman's terms, sorcery.

Strange begins to learns the ways of the mystic arts under the guidance of The Ancient One (Swinton) and fellow sorcerer Mordo (Ejiofor). As Strange continues his teachings, the vindictive sorcerer Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) and his army of zealots put into motion a plan to sacrifice the world to the being Dormammu and his dark dimension.

It's easy to compare Strange's origin and character to that of Tony Stark/Iron Man. An arrogant know-it-all goes through something traumatic, is given extraordinary gifts and learns humility, just as a large evil threat-in-the-sky looms overhead. Without giving too much away, I personally saw a bit of parallels between the story of this film and the one of the first Thor film. There's nothing special about Doctor Strange's origin story at the base level, but it's the characters unique setting and abilities that elevate it.

The idea of magic and multiple dimensions is something new to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the film spectaulrly skyrockets the franchise into this new territory, displaying some truly amazing effects and set pieces for these characters to muck about through. Michael Giacchino's epic score only helps to bring the film's unique tone and aura to life.

Speaking of characters, this cast might be one of the finest Marvel's ever assembled. Benedict Cumberbatch of course is pure gold as the titular character. A fan favorite since we knew this film would happen, he embodies every aspect of the character, and brings both the proper amount of gravitas and sincerity. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a biblical fierceness to Mordo, that was a highlight of the film for me. Tilda Swinton is both strong and sweet as The Ancient One. Benedict Wong as...Wong, is a hell of a scene stealer. Mads Mikkelsen, while he does a fine job, is another underdeveloped Marvel villain. Rachel McAdams, while she does a fine job, is another underdeveloped Marvel love interest.

This is where I transition into my problems with the film, and it's not just with McAdams and Mikkelsen. While I can praise the performances of the supporting cast, the background and character development left to them in the script is a lot to be desired. McAdams as Christine Palmer is more a plot device then a character and is one of Marvel's weakest leading ladies. We're given two lines of exposition about Kaecilius's backstory, and they're so cryptic we're left to our imagination to figure out where it all went south with him. It's hinted a few times that Mordo's got a dark background of his own (Those of you comic fans know Mordo is one of Doctor Strange's biggest villains), but we learn literally nothing. "You've no idea...the things I've done" he states in the film, and we're left to reply "You're right. We really don't." I understand that this is Strange's origin story, but if these characters are to be a part of his reigon of the MCU, they need to be as well developed as he is. One can only hope that in the inevitable sequel these characters will get their dues.

Is this my first sign of superhero film fatigue? Fourteen films into this franchise, are the patterns all too clear for me now I can't just turn a blind eye, or am I simply doubting the nerd path I've chosen? No of course not, I'm being dramatic. But the problems in Doctor Strange are problems other MCU films that have come before it have had, and I like many, hope to see these problems rectified going forward. Yes the plot of Doctor Strange is a familiar formula, but it's a winning formula and Marvel manages to give it a distinct mold every turn.

So do I consider Doctor Strange a perfect film? No. Do I still love it, consider it one of Marvel's best, and is it one of my favorite Marvel origin stories since Captain America: The First Avenger? Yes. Will it probably be on my Top 10 of the year, even though Captain America: Civil War will be on there too, and will you all roll your eyes at me for being so predictable? More than likely, but haters gonna hate. Complete with stunning visuals, a tremendous cast and beautiful music, stapled in with the usual tropes and formulas, Doctor Strange is a magnificent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's pure magic.